Romeo and Juliet How does Shakespeare manage to create excitement and tension in Act 3 scene 1? Looking at the scene from a directors point if view.

        When Romeo enters the scene Tybalt straight away focuses his attention on him. Tybalt says “Here comes my man”, man meaning servant, meaning that to him, Romeo is no more than a servant which is intended to be an insult. Tybalt also calls him a villain, trying to provoke him into a fight. He wanted to fight Romeo at the ‘Capulet only’ party but couldn’t as another Capulet said it would be shameful. Tybalt speaking at the party-“Patience perforce with wilful choler meeting” meaning I’ll get him later. Romeo tries to walk away refusing to be angered by Tybalts verbal attacks, he is now secretly married to Juliet and thus is Tybalts kinsman. This action leads to confusion to both the Capulets and Montagues who are present at the scene.  Even more so when Romeo calmly says to Tybalt, “But love thee better than thou canst devise”. Mercutio see Romeos placid actions as a “Dishonourable, vile submission”. Mercutio should say this in a slightly angry way, as if also trying to say ‘why aren’t you provoking him back, he just insulted you’ in an almost ashamed way. Mercutio becomes frustrated at Romeos withdrawal so he steps forward and asks Tybalt to fight. In a playful way Tybalt asks why, Mercutio replies “nothing but one of your nine lives”. By using the words nine lives I think Mercutio is intending this fight to be no more than play. Romeo, uneasily watching this fight unfold, he cannot bear to see another fight in this already war like city. He tries to stop this and walks in front of Mercutio, this adds great tension to this part of the scene. We as the audience know that Tybalt wants to kill Romeo. With Mercutios playful, teasing attitude, this fight is no more than playing until Romeo steps in. This adds suspense; will Mercutio finally kill Romeo, Even after what Prince Escalus has said? We know this play ends in tragedy as the prologue tells us at the beginning, so we begin to ask ourselves is this how it ends? It is all over quickly and Tybalt misses Romeo but wounds Mercutio. There would be a pause as Tybalt quickly leaves the stage and the audience is left wondering whether Mercutio will die. As Mercutio leaves the stage being helped by Benvolio he angrily cries “ A plague o’ both your houses”. Romeo believes this fight has been an act of fate “This black day’s fate on moe days doth depend” though mercutio sees only his death as the actions of others.

        When Tybalt returns Romeo is full of anger. By using the words ‘effeminate’ and ‘softened valours steel’ it shows his regret for not standing up to Tybalt, instead letting Mercutio become wounded and die. Romeo kills Tybalt in a rash and aggressive manner showing this regret and anger.  When Tybalt lies slain Benvolio urges to run as “the Prince will doom thee death”. It immediately makes the auience wonder what will happen to Romeos marriage to Juliet. Romeo would then sadly cry “O, I am fortunes fool”, emphasizing the role of fate in this story taking us back to the prologue when the chorus refers to a pair of star-crossed lovers.

        Prince Escalus would arrive on scene quickly and be enraged when told about the killings. “Where are the beginners of this fray?” said in an angry, frustrated loid voice. Benvolio explains to the prince desperately trying to protect Romes part in the fight.